Page 3 - 2.Lesson Notes-Forests & Wildlife-Stakeholders

 These nature-loving people have for centuries, been conserving the flora
and fauna to the extent of sacrificing their lives to protect the environment.
 The Government of India has recently instituted an ‘Amrita Devi Bishnoi
National Award for Wildlife Conservation’ in the memory of Amrita Devi
Bishnoi, who in 1731 sacrificed her life along with 363 others for the
protection of ‘khejri’ trees in Khejrali village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
 The great Himalayan National Park contains, within its reserved area, alpine
meadows which were grazed by sheep in summer. Nomadic shepherds
drove their flock up from the valleys every summer.
 When this national park was formed, this practice was put to an end. Now it
is seen that without the regular grazing by sheep the grass first grows very
tall, and then falls over preventing fresh growth.
 Management of protected areas by keeping the local people out or by using
force cannot possibly be successful in the long run.

Sustainable Development
 Forest resources ought to be used in a manner that is both environmentally
and developmentally sound.
 It is a process in which decentralised economic growth and ecological
conservation go hand in hand.
 The kind of economic and social development we want will ultimately
determine whether the environment will be conserved or further destroyed.
 The environment must not be regarded as a pristine collection of plants and
animals. It is a vast and complex entity that offers a range of natural
resources for our use. We need to use these resources with due caution for
our economic and social growth, and to meet our material aspirations.

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